Halle Westfalen: Roger Federer will head to Wimbledon in high spirits after waltzing past Belgium’s David Goffin in straight sets to win a record-extending 10th title at the ATP (read more ATP News here) event in Halle on Sunday.
“It’s unbelievable. I never thought when I first played here that I would win 10 titles,” said Federer.
The Swiss star is chasing a ninth Wimbledon crown in London next month as he looks to extend and defend his record of 20 career majors.
Long-term rival Rafael Nadal (read more Nadal News) for moved to within just two titles of Federer’s record with his 12th French Open triumph earlier this month, while world number one Novak Djokovic (for more Djokovic news) is just five short with 15 career majors.
• Roger Federer beat Goffin 7-6(2) 6-1 to win the Halle Open title for the 10th time
• Federer fired 7 aces and broke Goffin’s serve 3 times to down Goffin in 83 minutes
• Federer clinched his 102nd tour-level title that moved him to within seven of Jimmy Connors’ record
Roger Federer warmed up for next month’s Wimbledon championships by swatting aside Goffin 7-6(2) 6-1 to win the Halle Open title for the 10th time on Sunday.
The Swiss fired seven aces and broke Goffin’s serve three times to down his Belgian opponent in 83 minutes for his 102nd tour-level title that moved him to within seven of Jimmy Connors’ record.
It was also the 19th tour-level title on grass for the 37-year-old, who will be among the top contenders at Wimbledon as he looks to increase his Grand Slam haul of 20 trophies.
“It’s unbelievable. I never thought when I first played here that I would win 10 titles,” Federer said.
After being dragged to three sets in two of his first three rounds in Germany, Federer news blossomed and he looked set for another tough fight when world number 33 Goffin earned three consecutive break points at 2-2 in the opening set.
However, Goffin failed to capitalise on those chances as his opponent took the set to a tiebreak where he switched gears to take the early lead in the contest.
Federer broke quickly in the second set and did not allow Goffin back into the match, becoming become the oldest tour-level champion since a 43-year-old Ken Rosewall prevailed in Hong Kong in 197
Wimbledon begins on July 1 with Federer seeking a ninth title at the tournament (Read more Roger Federer news)
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